General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

G. A. IRWIN

Twenty-fourth Meeting, April 19, 11 A. M.

G. A. IRWIN in the chair. Prayer by I. H. Evans. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.9

The Chair: The Conference is now open for business. The unfinished business is found on page 330 of the BULLETIN. The report of the Committee on Distribution of Labor was considered up to No. 29. The Secretary will read from there onward to the close. The Secretary informs me that they have all been read to the motion to adopt, so he will read the names, beginning with No. 29: and if there is no objection, when we get there, we will adopt the whole report. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.10

The Secretary read Nos. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, thus finishing the list. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.11

The Chair: The Secretary informs me that the others were voted upon, so the motion will be on the ones that have just been read. As many as are in favor of adopting this report will say, Aye. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.12

The motion was unanimously carried. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.13

The Chair: The unfinished business you will find on page 333 of the BULLETIN. It is the report of the Committee on Nominations. The Secretary will read the names. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.14

The Chair: Is there any motion to adopt the rest of the report? GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.15

A. G. Haughey: I move its adoption. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.16

J. D. Gowell: I second the motion. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.17

The Chair: The Secretary will read the resolutions. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.18

The resolutions of the Committee on Nominations were read by the Secretary. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.19

The Chair: You have heard the motion. The Secretary will read the items separately. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.20

The first three items of the report were read by the Secretary. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.21

N. P. Nelson [referring to the third recommendation]: Brother Loper has been a member of the board in Nebraska for several years, and I understand there is some talk that he may move to some other field. Would it not be better to insert here, “the president or the manager of the Nebraska Sanitarium,” and not mention the name; because if Dr. Loper comes back again, and becomes manager of the sanitarium, he would become member of the board anyway. I therefore move that we amend the resolution by inserting, “the name of the president or manager of the Nebraska Sanitarium,” instead of the name of Dr. Loper. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.22

A Delegate: I second the motion. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.23

The Chair: It is moved and seconded that we amend the report by putting, “the name of the Superintendent of the Nebraska Sanitarium,” instead of Dr. Loper. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.24

The Secretary here read the fourth and fifth items. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.25

W. J. Westphal [referring to the fifth item]: The question with me is whether this is sufficiently explicit. The college board has recognized three Bible teachers in the college, and it seems to me that some difficulty might arise with reference to this. GCB April 21, 1901, page 353.26

The Chair: Has the Committee on Nominations any answer to make to this? GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.1

J. H. Morrison: I understand that the work of the German and Scandinavian Bible teachers was largely mixed, and that the Bible teacher referred to is the Bible teacher in English, whose time is wholly taken up in that line. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.2

The Chair: Would it be better to insert that? GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.3

J. H. Morrison: It would be better to insert the words “English teacher.” That was the mind of the committee. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.4

G. H. Smith: I move that we amend the report by inserting the words, “English Bible teacher.” GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.5

A Delegate: I second the motion. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.6

The amendment was carried. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.7

W. C. White: I wish to inquire if by adopting this report we are to give sanction of this kind to the system of selecting officers ex-officio, which plan has been decidedly spoken against. I wish to know if by the adoption of this report we are to give our official sanction to the system of choosing managing boards from men who are so widely separated in their regular duties that they can not meet oftener than once in three or four months without incurring great expense? I wish to know if in adopting this report we are to express ourselves as not intending to reform our methods in conformity with the principles laid down that managing boards should be on the ground, and be prepared to act upon the interests of the institution, the work that they are supposed to manage? I desire to know if, in the adoption of this report, we are expressing ourselves as in favor of continuing the plan of having managing boards be managers only in name, and of leaving our school interests in the hands of the faculty, who are employees of the school. I desire to ask if the history of Union College, its financial standing, its growth, its development since its erection, and its present financial standing is an argument in favor of the continuation of this system. I should like to hear an answer to these questions before I vote in favor of this report. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.8

J. H. Morrison: Mr. Chairman, now I think we all appreciated the remarks that were made the other day, and the principles set forth in regard to managing boards. I know I did, and appreciated very highly those remarks; but there is something to be taken under consideration in reference to our circumstances, and that is this: First, we do not know who the parties may be that will occupy or make up our teaching force; and next, we could not give the name of the president or any one of that faculty to take a place on the board, because we do not know who may be elected to that place. We could not name a Bible teacher by name, because we do not know who is to take the place. Those are the circumstances. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.9

Now if we are left simply to choose a board there at the college, a board that would meet the ideal board that was presented before us, we never could find those men located near College View. They are not there, they are off some other place in the work. So we have to do with what we have on hand, work with the stock that we have on hand; and under those circumstances, we could not see how it would be possible for us to make up a board that would come anywhere near meeting the demand in the case without placing upon that board representative men from the different Conferences, and then adding to them, just as far as we could, other men who might make a strong executive board. Under those circumstances, two men were all we could see who would be proper to place on that board. We know how the Lord points out definitely and clearly what kind of men should occupy the place of elder; but it often occurs, in organizing a church, that it is not an easy matter to find a man who fills the bill. So we do the best we can under the circumstances. And your committee, in considering this point, considering what material we had on hand, did the best they could to meet the ideal board that was presented here before us. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.10

We did not feel that it would be safe at all, under the circumstances, to say that we will have a school board without having the different Conferences represented; and in representing them, we decided that a Conference would choose the best possible man it had to take that place. And that man would come the nearest to filling the bill to represent the school, perhaps, of any man in the State. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.11

Now under those circumstances we could not see anything else that we could do otherwise than what we have done. As I stated before, the principles laid down here the other day are right; they are ideal. But such men are not located in College View. If they were there, this Conference would pick them up and send them some other place. And then we should have to do as we are doing to-day,—the best we can. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.12

N. P. Nelson: I wish to say a few words in regard to the matter referred to by Brother White,—the condition of the finances of Union College. There are a great many who do not understand how that great debt of about $69,000 that we now have, came about. They say that when the college was built and turned over to the board, there was not a cent of debt on it. And a great many people have wondered how that came about. I will tell you how. When the school was located at College View, some land was donated to the school, and that land was laid out into town lots, and sold. Then more land was bought, something between 100 and 200 acres, and divided into five-acre lots, and the lots were sold from $200 to $600 a lot. The people who bought these lots paid from one to three hundred dollars, and gave their note for the balance. Those notes were placed in the bank of Lincoln as collateral, and then we drew money from the banks, the full value of these notes. The bank handed out the money. The time came when there was a failure, and the people wrote back and said. “We are willing to give you what we did pay; but we will turn over the lots and the land to the college.” So we found that the General Conference Association had to make notes, and go down to the bank with those notes, and take out the notes that had been left there, for the balance on those lots. Of course those lots came back, and now belong to the college; and also those two, three, and five-acre lots came back; but the debt was not as much as it is now. Those notes draw interest. This money was borrowed from the bank, and these lots have been sold right along to pay the interest. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.13

So far as the running expenses of the school are concerned: The General Conference Association has never paid a cent on the running expenses of Union College. The second year that the college ran, the expense of the college was nearly $5,000. All this was used to build the sewer to connect with the city of Lincoln, about five miles away. That took all that money. Since that time the managers there have arranged so that they have never called on the General Conference Association to help bear the running expenses of the college. One year the water failed, and we spent about a thousand dollars to get water for the college. But we did not call on the General Conference Association to help on that, but in was levied on the Conferences which constitute that school district; and by having the presidents of these Conferences connected with the board, they were there at the time, and they went home, and brought it up before their Conferences, and the money has come in from the Conferences to pay the deficiency in fixing up the wells and the water supply, so that, as far as Union College is concerned, that has been no expense to the Conference Association. GCB April 21, 1901, page 354.14

At present we are working away to pay the debt. I think about $15,000 has already been paid on the debt, by the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The presidents of the Conferences are members of the board, and they are working hard to get all their workers out so as to raise the debt of the college, and I hope in a short time that the school district of Union College will be able to lift that debt. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.1

E. Leland: I would like to inquire for what length of time these several boards of management are elected. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.2

The Chair: For the biennial period. That has been the custom, I think. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.3

E. Leland: That being the case, I see no reason for the question which Brother White has propounded here as to their being ex-officio members of the boards, because it makes no difference whether you name a man of the office which he fills; and this can be changed at the next biennial session. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.4

W. C. White: I had no thought of raising a question regarding the workings of the schools. We are all glad to hear of its prosperity, but to my mind it is a grave question as to whether this Conference, by electing this committee, should put its stamp of approval upon the system of choosing a man for the office because he already fills another office. That is ex-officio action. You choose a man to be a member of this board because he has been chosen by his Conference to do an entirely different character of work. These men are all good representative men, but a college does not need this kind of representation. Its students are its representatives. How many times during the year is it expected that the president of the Minnesota Conference will sit with the board in council about the affairs of Union College? GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.5

N. P. Nelson: Heretofore we have called an annual meeting of all the members of the board, and at that time the calendar is made up, and the plans for running the school are laid; the faculty is appointed. The local committee, consisting of five members, are to see that the plans laid by the board at its annual meeting are carried out. If any very serious question should come up, the members of the board could be called together to consider it; but such a thing has not occurred so far in the running of the school. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.6

W. C. White: Thank you. These men, then, are more in the capacity of electors, and they elect from their own board or otherwise a local board to be the managers of the school. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.7

I think this system can be greatly improved; I think it demands reformation. First, the management of the school ought to be in the hands of the Union Conference. The actual managers of the school should be chosen by the Conference, and not by a board of nine or eleven electors. If you want to associate Conference presidents as councilors to meet together once a year, and give these men general counsel, that would undoubtedly be representative; but I am convinced in my soul that we must have a reformation of this system of choosing our school boards, and that the delegates of Conferences most interested should choose the managers; and if there is no one near the school who is not in the employ of the school who can take a part in this management, we should devise some means by which such persons can be located there. If this election is understood to be a provisional affair, and to continue only until the first meeting of the Union Conference District where the school is located, and that the board will take immediate action in transferring this responsibility to that Union Conference, and that the old system will die inside of twelve months, then I will raise no further objection: but if by our vote to-day, we put our sanction on the continuance of this system, I shall feel it my privilege to vote against it. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.8

Watson Ziegler: The object that we heard in choosing these Conference presidents at this time to go on this board was that the constituents of the several Conferences might be represented, insomuch as the people are called upon generally to bear the expense for the deficit in running this Union College, and it seems only right for the people upon whom these responsibilities with reference to the financial losses rest, to be represented in some way, whether by the presidents of the Conferences, or in some other way. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.9

Secretary [reading]: “It is recommended that the following designated persons constitute the local board of management of the Keene Industrial Academy: Presidents of the following Conferences: Southwest Union Conference, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the Business Manager of the academy, W. T. Greer, J. D. Matthews, B. F. Woods, T. T. Stevenson, J. C. Mosley.” GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.10

H. M. J. Richards: It appears to me as if there may have been an oversight in this. Our Union Conference has chosen the president of Keene Academy as a member of this board. It seems that he ought to be at the same time a member of the local board, or board of management. I do not see here the name of the office of the president of Keene Academy. It would seem that there ought to be that addition if it is not covered. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.11

E. T. Russell: I move that the president of Keene Academy be a member of the board. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.12

C. McReynolds: I second the motion. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.13

The Chair: It is moved to amend the report by increasing the number of members by adding the president of Keene Academy. All in favor of this will say, Aye. Opposed, No. Carried. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.14

The report is before you for adoption as has been read and acted upon. All in favor of adopting this entire report will say, Aye. Opposed, No. It is adopted. That finishes the business. I understand the Committee on Distribution of Labor has another partial report to submit. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.15

The partial report of the Committee on Distribution of Laborers was read by W. T. Knox, as follows:— GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.16

“38. That Elder S. N. Haskell and wife be invited to make New York City and vicinity their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.17

“39. That Elder O. A. Olsen and wife be invited to make South Africa their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.18

“40. That George W. Reaser and wife, of the Upper Columbia Conference, be invited to make South Africa their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 355.19

“41. That J. C. Brower, of Michigan, be invited to make India his field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.1

“42. That L. J. Burgess, of Minnesota, be invited to make India his field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.2

“43. That we accept the offer of Miss Grace Kellogg, of Wisconsin, to go to India at her own expense as a self-supporting missionary. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.3

“44. That A. R. Ogden and wife, of Kansas, be invited to make the West Coast, South America, Mission Field, their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.4

“45. That H. F. Kettring and wife, of Kansas, be invited to make the West Coast, South America, Mission Field, their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.5

“46. That H. A. Owen and wife be invited to go to Spanish Honduras, and engage in school work under the direction of the General Conference Committee. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.6

“47. That Prof. C. W. Irwin and wife, of Graysville, Tenn., be invited to make Australia their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.7

“48. That Lewis V. Finister and wife, of Nebraska, be invited to make Australia their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.8

“49. That F. L. Chaney and wife, of Battle Creek, Mich., be invited to make Australia their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.9

“50. That George A. Snyder and wife, of California, be invited to make Australia their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.10

“51. That Wm. Woodford and wife, of Alabama, be invited to make Australia their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.11

“52. That Jacob N. Anderson and wife, of Wisconsin, be invited to make China their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.12

“53. That Conrad W. Webber and wife, of Michigan, be invited to make Germany their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.13

“54. That J. A. Morrow and wife, of St. Kitts, West Indies, be invited to make British Guiana their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.14

“55. That J. B. Beckner and wife, of Texas, be invited to make St. Kitts, West Indies, their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.15

That D. E. Wellman and wife, of Jamaica, be invited to make Antigua, West Indies, their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.16

“57. That W. A. Westworth and wife, of West Virginia, be invited to make Kingston, Jamaica, their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.17

“58. That A. M. Fisher and wife, of the Chesapeake Conference, be invited to make Porto Rico their field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.18

“59. That we grant the request of A. N. Allen, of Battle Creek, Mich., to make the Bay Islands his field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.19

“60. That F. H. Westphal, of Argentine, South America, be invited to labor in Kansas in the German work. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.20

“61. That Emma Shilling, of Michigan, be invited to labor in New York City as a Bible worker in the German work. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.21

“62. That P. P. Gade, of Kansas, be invited to labor in Nebraska, in the German work. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.22

“63. That Miss B. Purdon, of Manitoba, be encouraged to engage in the Bible work in that field. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.23

“64. That R. S. Donnell, of Indiana, be invited to labor in Wilmington, N. C., or in such place as may be assigned him by the Executive Committee of the Southern Union Conference. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.24

“65. That J. M. Rees, of Missouri, be invited to take the presidency of the Indiana Conference and Tract Society. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.25

“66. That D. T. Fero, of the North Pacific Conference, be invited to make California his field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.26

“67. That F. M. Burg, of California, be invited to make North Pacific Conference his field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.27

“68. That A. J. Breed, of Battle Creek, Michigan, be invited to make the Upper Columbia Conference his field of labor. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.28

“69. That Carrie V. Hansen, of Illinois, be invited to make Utah her field of labor.” GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.29

The Chair: The report will be published in the BULLETIN, and come up for action. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.30

I. H. Evans: The Committee on Finance would like to submit a partial report. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.31

Prof. P. T. Magan here read the partial report. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.32

The Chair: I will say, in regard to this report, that it will be printed and put into the hands of the delegates, so you can have it to read before it comes up. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.33

F. H. Westphal here read as follows:— GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.34

“For the purpose of advancing the present truth among the millions of Germans in this large land of America, we, as the representatives of the German work assembled at this Conference, desire that plans be laid by which more vigorous and harmonious efforts be put forth, so that more effective results among our people may be reached. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.35

“For this purpose, we desire,— GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.36

“1. That in each Union Conference, as far as practical, one man be appointed or elected whose duty shall be (a) to take the oversight of the German work in such Union Conference; (b) to look up and encourage proper persons to enter the German canvassing work and other branches in the cause of God generally. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.37

“2. Such persons shall counsel and act together with the various Conferences or Mission Field Committees. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.38

“3. We further recommend that such persons be allowed to meet together at least once a year, for the purpose of counseling. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.39

“4. It is further recommend that such duly elected or appointed persons, and the editor of the German paper, constitute a committee, which shall meet with the General Conference Committee, as circumstances may demand or allow, for the purpose of planning for the German work. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.40

“F. H. WESTPHAL,
“J. J. GRAF,
“O. E. REINKE.

“Committee in behalf of the Germans assembled here.” GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.41

The Chair: This recommendation will be printed in the BULLETIN, so that you can have it to read before it comes up for consideration. What is the further pleasure of the Conference? Any other report? GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.42

A Delegate: Mr. Chairman. I move we adjourn. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.43

A Delegate: I support the motion. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.44

J. H. Morrison: I would like to say just a word further. I thought perhaps some of our delegates would speak in regard to this point. I want to say that as far as our boards are concerned, and in our district, that we are just as much dissatisfied with the way we have been electing our boards as anybody can be, and I am glad to know that we have something in operation that will remedy this matter. But it has been understood that all of our actions here are provisional; even in our organizations, it is a provisional matter, that stands until we can have an election in our Union Conferences, and then we would have to have such changes as will be satisfactory. We are dissatisfied with a body that is situated five hundred or a thousand miles away from an institution and legislating concerning it, and also with that body overthrowing what a local board may do, because we all know that brings dissatisfaction. I suppose it is understood by us all that we have to live in the old dispensation until we get into the new. I do hope that the time is not far distant when we can have a more healthful organization, established on better principles and on better promises. GCB April 21, 1901, page 356.45

The Chair: There are several important matters yet before we put the motion to adjourn. It is not late. I have an appeal that is requested to be read [reading]:— GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.1

“To the Southern Union Conference now assembled. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.2

“DEAR BROTHERS: The annual reunion of Confederate Veterans is to be held in Memphis, Tenn., the latter part of May. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.3

“These are men by nature inclined to religion; men of Lee’s and Jackson’s stamp; gathered from every State in the South. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.4

“It is a great opportunity. I implore you, let it not pass without action on our part, intelligent and determined. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.5

“Let us plan for it, work for it, pray for it. Let a plea be brought before the General Conference now assembled, for means for this special end: The distribution of papers, as Signs of the Times and The Sentinel of Liberty; for tracts to be sold and given away, as ‘Marshaling of the Nations.’ Let racks be placed in building accessible, for our literature, not neglecting the principles of health reform. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.6

“Call for volunteers; divide the city; apportion the work; station your men under the great Captain of our salvation, who also will be there. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.7

“Is it a lost cause?

“Yours in the hope of glory,
(Signed) LETTIE H. TATUM.”
April 15, 1901.” GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.8

N. W. Allee: I would like to say a few words in behalf of this petition. That will be a most opportune occasion for getting the principles of this great message before men who represent the real sentiment of that great Southern field. Here will be assembled many thousands of the leading men of that great field. And in my acquaintance with that field for the past four years. I have met hundreds and even thousands of people, and I believe that I can tell you truthfully that the men who will be assembled in that convention are representative men of that field. If an influence can be brought to bear on their minds with the principles of this truth, it will be one of the grandest appeals that has ever been made in behalf of that great needy Southern field. I am fully assured that we can not afford to let this opportunity pass, and that suitable literature should be supplied in a sufficient quantity to enable the persons that should have this in charge to place it in the hands of every one. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.9

I am informed that there are thirty thousand invitations already issued to attend that reunion. This is no small affair. I want to tell you that when the Southern people take hold of an enterprise, they take hold with all their heart. When they undertake to make a grand display, every energy of that people is put forth, and the entire attention of the South, in the few days that those men are convened there, will be centered in that convention. These men, although they were once arrayed against what we call the best interests of this government, are the substantial men of that field, and they are the most reasonable and intelligent men of that field. And they are a class of men that I would sooner approach than any other class I know in that field. They will not be biased by prejudice, they will be willing to read the literature. And when you gain their confidence in something that they believe, they will heartily second the effort. I do hope, brethren, that there will be such an interest in this that the office of the Signs of the Times will be willing to put in thousands of copies of the Signs of the Times for these people at that time. And the Sentinel of Liberty ought to have many thousands of that paper there. This paper will appeal to what they understand, the principles of loyalty. Religious liberty literature of the proper kind ought to be freely disseminated in that meeting. Anything that touches the principles of the government is readily read by these people. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.10

M. C. Wilcox: At what time will this reunion be held? GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.11

Voice: The latter part of May. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.12

J. O. Corliss: This appeal is opportune at this time, because we have heard so much recently about what ought to have been done in the South, and yet has been neglected. I believe God is bringing this before us now, that we may show what we are willing to do, since he has sent us a message regarding our duty there, which we have neglected. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.13

I have labored, at different times, four years in the South, and I can second what Brother Allee has said with reference to the people of the South. There are some of the truest men there that I have ever met in my life. They are free-hearted and generous, and there never was a field in which men have met with a more cordial reception, than they do in the Southern field, and in Southern homes. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.14

I want to give you one incident to show you how cordially men are received there. You know that during the Civil War, I had a little part in that. When I was laboring in Virginia in 1876, I was visiting a man near Newmarket, Va. I was in his home, and talking with him about the past, asking him some questions about the war. In talking with him, I found that I had had him prisoner during the time that I was in the war. He located himself so nearly in the scenes of the Winchester battle field that I could identify him as a prisoner held by me at that time. Something came over me that said, “Let him know that he was your prisoner;” and I finally brought an incident to his mind that showed him that I was the man who had him in charge. GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.15

The man immediately arose to his feet, stepped up to me, and took my hand in both of his. “Well,” said he, “Brother Corliss, you treated me well, anyway, and I want to thank you now for capturing me again, by bringing the truth to me.” Well, it was a hearty reception, and I want to tell you, brethren, that when those Southern veterans meet in that reunion, there will be the hearty handshake, and nothing but the best of feelings, and if they can have such matter presented before them as “Marshaling of the Nations.” it seems to me as if they would receive it cordially. Moreover, it will be one of the grandest occasions that this people have ever had of reaching the best minds in the South; for you will find men there who feared nothing before the war, who faced death in all the great occasions that were presented to them during that time, and who, in civil life, are just as brave, and just as noble as they were during that time. I have always honored those men ever since that strife of 1861-65. I have honored them, and I do hope that this Conference will do something to send reading-matter to those veterans when the occasion is presented, by which they can scatter it in every part of the South. Why, brethren, you do not get such an opportunity always where you can get together in one mass from every part of the South some of its best minds. I believe that this appeal is opportune at this very moment, and I hope that something will be done by this Conference to back it up, and do something for the people there. [Congregation: Amen!] GCB April 21, 1901, page 357.16

R. M. Kilgore: It will not simply be a reunion of the old veterans of the army, but it will be a reunion of both the blue and the gray. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.1

Smith Sharp: It is no insignificant affair. While Memphis has a population of only a little over 100,000, yet I understand they have appropriated $100,000 themselves for this occasion. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.2

W. S. Greer: I can not help but feel impressed that there ought to be an effort made to get our literature before these veterans at this time. I would like to give ten dollars to help. Here it is. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.3

The Chair: That starts the ball rolling. Are there others? GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.4

S. H. Lane: I will give ten dollars. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.5

W. J. Stone: This is in our Conference. We did not feel that we were able to take it up. We had not the means or the workers to send there to take up this work and do it. It is true, as Brother Sharp said, the city of Memphis has raised $100,000 to meet the expenses, so this gives us some idea of the magnitude of the gathering. There will have to be some arrangements made in regard to workers as well as means. I suppose the Southern Union Conference might take up the matter, and act upon it, and advise something definite. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.6

A. T. Jones: Something about a year ago I made a pledge to the work in the South. I could not pay it then, and have not been able since, but I can raise it now, and if I can have my choice, I will put it in. It amounts to about $107 now. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.7

The Chair: I would suggest that any one who feels stirred to answer to this appeal come forward at the close of the service, and hand his donation to Brother Hoopes, and he will give it to the proper one. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.8

Brethren Miller, Chew, and Stanley feel that they would like to make some statement before the delegates and Conference assembled. They have asked the privilege of doing this. We will grant the privilege now if you are willing. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.9

A. L. Miller: I would like to state before the brethren and sisters assembled that what I have to say is in reference to the Testimony that was given concerning Indiana. As I for one have been connected with the work there, I felt that I should state to you how I have received the message from God. I am a firm believer in the Testimonies, and when the Lord speaks, I say “Amen.” I heartily receive the reproof given, and in the fear of God will endeavor to walk in harmony with his will, and meet you all in the kingdom of heaven. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.10

P. G. Stanley: One of the most honorable things that a man can do when he is overtaken in a fault or has sinned, is to confess it. Confess it to Jesus, and let him bury it in the depths of the sea. This is God’s plan and God’s way of getting out of sin. It is the right way, it is a legitimate and Biblical way, and this is the way that I propose to adopt. I praise the Lord for the Testimony that he gave us. The happiest days of my life at this meeting have been since the Testimony came. The Lord has spoken, and I have heard, and I believe every word of it, and I assure you, brethren and sisters, that while Satan has caught me in his trap this time, by the help of the Lord I will never be caught in it again, and so I take my stand with you to-day upon the principles of truth as taught by this people. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.11

A. L. Chew: I, too, am glad for this opportunity to express myself in regard to the reproof that has been given us, as I am one that had a very prominent part in this movement, and when the Testimony was given. I do not think there was any one who was more ready to receive it than myself, because I could see that God was in it; and that God was taking away nothing but that which was error, and was leaving me all the truth. While my heart was sad to think that I had been doing things that the Lord did not want me to do, yet I do thank the Lord that he came and corrected me and let me know it. I can say to my brethren that I heartily accept the Testimony, and by the Grace of God I expect to profit by it, and in the future try to stand in the principles of God’s truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.12

F. M. Roberts: I belong to this same company that has been speaking to you, and I want to add my testimony along this line with them. While I did not belong to the Conference Committee. I stood by the Committee, and believed what we were teaching was the truth. When I do anything, I do it with all my might. That has been my way of doing ever since I can remember anything of myself. When I quit anything, I quit it just as hard. When the Lord spoke to me the other morning, I prayed to him that I might hear his voice, and I thank the Lord that I did. I love my Heavenly Father because he loves me; and the fact that he chastens me proves that he still loves me. I am glad that we are not called upon to forsake truth, but to forsake error, and I feel like saying, as did Samuel, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” I am a firm believer in the Testimonies. I have studied them for years and years, and no small thing will shake me loose from them. The Spirit of prophecy has been the salvation of this people. It has kept us together all these years, and our adherence to the principles taught in them will keep us together to the end. I have confessed my sin to God and to the aged men whose counsel I once refused, and now I ask any before me to-day whom I have injured in any way, to forgive me. I am going through with you to the kingdom of God. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.13

Voted, to adjourn. Benediction by Elder W. T. Knox. GCB April 21, 1901, page 358.14

G. A. IRWIN, Chairman.
L. A. HOOPES, Secretary.